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Celebrations on King Street in Saint John, NB

A black and white image of what a city-wide celebration in downtown Saint John, New Brunswick would have looked like in 1867, upon the arrival of The Paris Crew when they returned from Paris. The intersection of King Street and Water Street are lined with thousands of people. In the opened central square area, celebration activities are being performed for the spectators. A make-shift, multi-level stadium seating area was also erected directly in front of the square. Decorations adorn the store fronts and flags line the telephone poles and lamp posts.

Photo credit: Provincial Archives of New Brunswick, Jason and Jessalyn Wright Collection: P338-138

Depiction of celebrations that would have occurred in Saint John, NB upon the arrival of “The Paris Crew”.

“Thunderous fourteen gun salutes were fired from Carleton, Reed’s Point, and Ballast Wharf. The steamer docked at Reed’s Point with some six to seven thousand people jamming the dock to catch a glimpse of the returning oarsmen. At five o’clock, to the cheers of the crowd, they strode down the gang plank attired in their rowing garb. Holding their oars aloft, they paraded through the city streets.” (Saint John: A Sporting Tradition 1785-1985, Brian  Flood, page 37)